Statements of Significance

Understanding the significance of the historic environment is at the core of what we do. The best decisions are informed ones, so we ensure that potential developers understand the opportunities and constraints of working in the historic environment and guide them through the planning process.

Understanding the significance of an historic building, monument or landscape is not just for developers however. It is key to making decisions about landed estates, private historic buildings and commercial forestry. It can help you to choose the right colour scheme for your historic interiors, the appropriate window types for your listed building, or the suitable land management regime for your farm.

Importantly, if you are applying for funding to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a project affecting any aspect of the historic environment, you are likely to be asked to prepare a conservation management plan. At the heart of a conservation management plan is a statement of significance to help make sure that your project is going to protect and enhance your heritage.

“In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting.”

NPPF 2012 para 128

Examples of proofs of evidence can be seen below or in our online library